FREDERICTON – A Fredericton Transit bus lost control and flipped onto its side on a snow-covered road Monday evening, leaving seven people injured.
The accident occurred shortly after 5:00 PM on Hilton Road as a winter storm brought freezing rain and treacherous driving conditions to the region. According to the Fredericton Police Force, the bus skidded off the icy roadway and plummeted into a ditch.
Emergency Response and Injuries
Emergency crews, including the Fredericton Police Force, the City Fire Department, and Ambulance New Brunswick, rushed to the scene. Seven individuals, including the bus driver and six passengers, were transported to a local hospital. Officials confirmed that all injuries are considered non-life-threatening.
The crash also caused significant local disruption:
- Infrastructure Damage: The bus struck a power pole, bringing down live electrical wires.
- Utility Response: NB Power crews were required to disconnect electricity in the area to allow tow trucks to safely upright and remove the bus from the ditch.
- Traffic Delays: The road remained closed for several hours, eventually being cleared by approximately 8:00 PM.
City-Wide Chaos
The bus crash was the most severe of 10 weather-related collisions reported in Fredericton on Monday afternoon and evening. Police noted that several other vehicles slid off roads or collided in icy parking lots due to the sudden accumulation of ice and snow.
“We are urging motorists to drive according to the current weather conditions and avoid non-essential travel during these storms,” a police spokesperson stated.
Fredericton Transit suspended service early Monday night following the incident to ensure the safety of other passengers and staff as the freezing rain continued.
